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Letter concerning WWU Board Action on Alex Bryan

Like most of us, I am not a member of the WWU board. Thus I was not present at the board meeting last week that voted down the recommendation of the search committee to appoint Alex Bryan as president of WWU. It is possible that previously unreported issues may surface, but for most of us the reason for the vote appears obvious. A concerted campaign, initiated and orchestrated in large part by an anonymous, inaccurate and unfair email message, succeeded in influencing the board decision. I strongly support Alex Bryan. I agree with the decision of the Southern Adventist University Church to appoint him to their pastoral staff. I am in enthusiastic support for the action taken by the WWU Church Board to call Alex as our pastor and definitely agree with the decision of the Upper Columbia Conference Committee to pass on the call to Alex as senior pastor. With all of this history of examination as well as the approval of the WWU search committee, I find it mind-boggling that the board should vote his name down in large part on the basis of an anonymous email and the campaign it helped generate. Not only was the process painful and difficult for Alex, it also has wide and sobering implications for WWU and our SDA Church. Having won a victory on this point simply encourages and emboldens a vocal minority to seek to influence other church and/or university discussions in the future. Alex has been made the symbol of the kind of Adventist that this minority sees as threatening and dangerous when in reality the majority have found his ministry to be Bible-based and of great spiritual benefit. It saddens me that many have been led to false views of Alex and WWU by this misleading email. In light of this volatile situation I suggest we remember two important facts. One, we are all members of one body. While all can express their opinions, this should be done in a respectful way without judgmentalism or arrogance. Although it may sound like a clich, we are called by scripture to love each other, not condemn each other. Second, WWU will carry on and prosper. The core of a university is dedicated and competent staff, faculty and students. Walla Walla University is rich in these resources. Walla Walla University is blessed with bright, enthusiastic students who love Jesus and want to make a difference for good in our world. Even with changes and transitions key support personnel and teachers are in place and WWU will continue to fulfill its God-given role. WWU is Gods school and has survived and even prospered in more challenging times than these. Jon Dybdahl Dr. Jon Dybdahl is considered one of the Seventh-day Adventist churchs foremost experts on world mission. During his tenure as a pastor and evangelist in Thailand, he founded an adult education center as well as Chiangmai Adventist Academy. From 2002-2006, Dr. Dybdahl served as president of Walla Walla University.